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PPA President Writes Guest Column for Bridge Magazine

June 1, 2017

Dr. Paul Elam and Francisco A. Villarruel co-authored an opinion column higlighting the urgent need to raise the age of adult adjudication. Michigan is one of a few states that automatically send 17-year-olds into the criminal justice system.

In A 17-Year-Old is Not an Adult, and Shouldn’t be Treated as Such, the authors reflect on why the adult prison system does not effectively rehabiliaite youth, and the substantial cost of not passing juvenile justice reform. The article also explains the many benefits of “raising the age” to 18. There are public-safety and youth-development, as well as cost-containment outcomes.

PPA is a Lansing, Michigan-based firm that provides clients across the country with research and strategic consultation to inform the development of effective policies and programs in the areas of education and workforce development, safety and justice, and healthy communities. For more information about PPA’s work in criminal and juvenile justice, contact Dr. Elam at pelam@publicpolicy.com.